Abstract

The ocean is the least understood environment on earth. Its sheer scale and the complex interplay of physical, chemical and biological processes affecting its behaviour provide a fascinating challenge for scientists. For example, what do you think might affect the transport of heat in the top ocean layer? Sunshine, rain, currents, diffusion… you will soon realise how complicated the answer to this simple question must be. What about salinity? Carbon? And what happens if a Hurricane whizzes by? In my talk I will present a cutting-edge model of these using data from a 25-year time series conducted off the coast of Bermuda. There will be some interesting fluid dynamics, oceanography, jokes, climate science and you will also learn why biologists should be the ones most excited about this!